In recent weeks, a number of Kimberley Process-related enforcement and compliance items have arisen. This Warning addresses each of them briefly.

First, two attempts have been made to present Kimberley Process Certificates (KPCs), allegedly from Ghana and Sierra Leone, respectively, for purposes of importation into the United States. In one instance, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) identified the potential fake certificate; in the second, a U.S. customs brokerage notified the Department of State of its concern of a potential fake certificate. In both cases, the Department of State confirmed with the relevant authorities that the KPCs in question were counterfeit. Redacted copies of these certificates are attached to this Warning.

Second, two diamonds traders in the United States have reported being contacted by companies in Cameroon purporting to offer rough diamonds for sale. Please note that Cameroon is not a Kimberley Process participant. Thus, no rough diamonds may be imported from, or exported to, Cameroon. The complete list of Kimberley Process participants may be found at: http://www.state.gov/e/eb/diamonds/docs/113716.htm or http://www.kimberleyprocess.com/structure/participants_world_map_en.html. Traders are advised to proceed with caution when dealing with any unsolicited offers for rough diamonds received over the Internet.

Fourth, the United Republic of Tanzania recently reported to the Kimberley Process that a large shipment of rough diamonds was stolen at the O.R. Tambo International Airport. Please see the attached letter from Tanzania with a further description of the goods and incident. Please report any information about this shipment, or any concerns with stolen rough diamonds, to the Department of State at the e-mail and phone number listed below.

Finally, the Kimberley Process recently issued a press release concerning semi-cut diamonds, in response to media reports concerning alleged cutting and polishing operations underway in Zimbabwe. In addition to the concerns about Zimbabwe, this statement covers more general issues of rough diamond tariff classification and should be reviewed carefully. The statement is attached and is also available by downloading the document found at: http://www.kimberleyprocess.com/download/getfile/951.

Questions concerning the authenticity of KPCs or other compliance issues addressed in this Warning may be directed to the Special Advisor for Conflict Diamonds at 202-647-2856, USKimberleyProcess@state.gov.

We would like to bring to your attention that a diamond parcel from Tanzania, which was sealed on 19th October, 2009 weighing 14,931.35 carats with an estimated value of US$ 2,880,257.42 was stolen on 22nd October, 2009 whilst in transit through O.R. Tambo international airport, Johannesburg en route to Belgium. We issued a Kimberley Process certificate No. TZ 00000939 dated 19/10/2009 for export of rough diamonds (Annex 1) . This parcel was exported by the Williamson Diamonds Limited (WDL) company to Antwerp, Belgium and followed all the procedures under KPCS.

The theft has been reported to the South African Police Services Organized Crime Unit (case No . 354/10/2009) on 22nd October, 2009 and efforts were made to try to recover the diamond parcel but until now they have not been recovered.

We take this opportunity to inform you so that the KP family could be informed and cautioned to be aware of the stolen diamonds produced from the WDL mine at Mwadui, Shinyanga, Tanzania.

As response to recent reports in the media on how the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) could be circumvented by cutting and polishing a single facet to rough diamonds, the Kimberley Process would like to emphasize that these remarks are substantively incorrect.

It is incorrect that semi-cut diamonds fall outside the scope of the KPCS.

Indeed, the mentioned reports refer to a situation that existed until 2004. However, since that date, in order to close possible loopholes (such as the one alluded to in the reports), the definition of rough diamonds has been modified by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) upon suggestion by the Kimberley Process. Semi-cut diamonds are classified in tariff provisions of the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System (HS-System) which fall squarely within the scope of the KPCS's definition of "rough diamonds" and, consequently, semi-cut diamonds remain subject to the requirements of the KPCS.

Polishing a single or a few small facets will not transform rough diamonds into polished diamonds and make these "fall off the KPCS' radar" as was reported in the media. Rather, semi-cut diamonds are regarded as rough diamonds and their import or export remains subject to the requirements of the KPCS.

In case of uncertainty, information on what constitutes a rough diamond is included in the Explanatory Notes to the HS-Coding System (Heading 7102) available at the WCO or at your local customs agency, the local Kimberley Process Authority or the KP Working Group of Diamond Experts.

BackgroundThe Kimberley Process started when Southern African diamond-producing states met in Kimberley, South Africa, in May 2000, to discuss ways to stop the trade in 'conflict diamonds' and ensure that diamond purchases were not funding violence.

In December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution supporting the creation of an international certification scheme for rough diamonds. By November 2002, negotiations between governments, the international diamond industry and civil society organisations resulted in the creation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) The KPCS document sets out the requirements for controlling rough diamond production and trade. The KPCS entered into force in 2003, when participating countries started to implement its rules.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme now has 49 Participants (equalling 75 countries with the European Community counting as a single Participant), including all major diamond producing trading and polishing centres, and counts on the active participation of civil society and industry groups.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) imposes extensive requirements on its members to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as 'conflict-free' and prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate trade. Under the terms of the KPCS, participating states must meet 'minimum requirements' and must put in place national legislation and institutions, export, import and internal controls; and also commit to transparency and the exchange of statistical data. Participants can only legally trade with other participants who have also met the minimum requirements of the scheme, and international shipments of rough diamonds must be accompanied by a KP certificate guaranteeing that they are conflict-free.

KP participating countries and industry and civil society observers gather twice a year at intersessional and plenary meetings, as well as in working groups and committees that meet on a regular basis. Implementation is monitored through 'review visits' and annual reports as well as by regular exchange and analysis of statistical data.BERNARD ESAU, MPKP CHAIR